A Legal Analysis of Animal Rights in Kenya

Abstract

This thesis is about animal rights in Kenya as well as the various issues arising in this field especially the welfare of domestic and domesticated animals. The preservation of the environment and the harmonious existence with nature requires that animal rights are protected and respected. In order for a society to grow as a whole the animal welfare policies and legislation must be re-evaluated and restructured to suit the evolving society and technology. Some of the animal welfare policies and legislation include: The Constitution of Kenya, 2010, The Prevention of Cruelty Act 1962, Kenya Veterinary Policy, National Livestock Policy Session Paper no. 2 of 2008 and the Universal Declaration on Animal Welfare. The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act creates for cruelty offences against owners who mistreat their pets as well as allows for animals that are sick or injured to be humanely killed in the event that it would be cruel to keep it alive. The Act also provides for various animal rights especially those of domestic animals. Animal rights, with regards to domestic and domesticated animals, have been left in the dark for a period of time and are hardly protected which has therefore reflected in society today. Furthermore, Kenya fails to recognize the Universal Declaration on Animal Welfare which has proved to be detrimental to the society the essay will identify the issues that arise due to this. This research will also analyse whether animal rights are absolute or are subject to their owners wishes and wants, whether the legislation available in Kenya as well as international laws are sufficient or whether they need to be modified and it will also compare different systems, that is the United Kingdom and Kenya in order to review whether there any commonalities or strategies that can be used across the countries. It also seeks to find practical solutions and recommendations to the issues facing the preservation and protection of animals.